Jersey Telecom plans June 3G launch

Jersey Telecom, a state-owned telco based in the Channel Islands, has announced that it will launch the island’s first 3G network on 1 June 2006. The move is part of a GBP12 million investment programme which will see Jersey Telecom upgrade its core mobile network over the next 12 months. The new 3G infrastructure will be delivered in phases, with contract customers first to be able to sign up. Coverage will initially be limited to Jersey’s capital St Helier, with the rest of the network being rolled out later in the year. Jersey Telecom’s sister company on the neighbouring island of Guernsey, Wave Telecom, has been offering 3G services for the past two years; the launch in Jersey will create the first pan-Channel Islands 3G network with seamless coverage of Jersey, Guersey, Alderney, Sark and Herm.